Research Assistant

Job Title

Research Assistant

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Family Group

Staff - Union

Department

Sriram Student Support | School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Compensation Range

$37.45 - $53.81 CAD Hourly

Job End Date

March 1, 2027

Posting End Date

November 19, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
The School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) is a leading centre for innovation in governance and global public policy. The School is home to the Liu Institute for Global Issues, the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (CSDI), the Office of Regional and International Community Engagement (ORICE), the Pacific Affairs journal, and the Institute of Asian Research (IAR) which includes 5 distinct research centres focusing on Southeast Asia, India and South Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. With a university-wide mandate, the school offers a wide range of programming for students at all levels, faculty, staff, and the community to engage in.

This Research Coordinator will support for ongoing research conducted by Dr. Veena Sriram providing administrative support for projects focused on global health workforce policy, and supporting the preparation and submission of new grant proposals.

Organizational Status
The position reports to Dr. Veena Sriram and works in collaboration with other School of Public Policy and Global team members.

Work Performed
In collaboration with the Dr. Veena Sriram, develops and coordinates project work plans, ensuring project goals and timelines are met.

• In collaboration with the Dr. Veena Sriram, coordinates project work plans by setting timeframes, completing tasks and tracking progress for grant and ethics application requirements.

• Assists with tracking research budgets by reviewing ongoing grants, as well as summarizing and categorizing financial resources (i.e., staff, travel, and other cost categories).

• Tracks and reconciles expenditures to ensure alignment with funding agency guidelines and institutional policies; proactively identifies and resolves discrepancies in collaboration with finance teams.

• Maintains financial records and reporting systems, utilizing tools such as Workday, Excel, and other financial management platforms to ensure accurate tracking, forecasting, and reporting of grant-related finances.

• Prepares and submits ethics applications for funded research projects, including drafting supporting documentation, coordinating with research ethics boards, and ensuring compliance with institutional and federal guidelines.

• Supports the development of new grant applications, including:

• • Coordinating timelines and deliverables with internal and external collaborators.

  • Gathering and synthesizing background research and supporting documentation.

  • Assisting with budget development and justification.

  • Formatting and proofreading application materials to meet funder specifications.

  • Managing submission portals and ensuring timely delivery of all components.

• Facilitates the preparation and submission of final manuscripts for publication, including:

• • Organizing and formatting manuscript components (e.g., figures, tables, references).

  • Coordinating with co-authors to collect necessary approvals and contributions.

  • Managing submission platforms and tracking manuscript status.

• Coordinates project timelines and deliverables, ensuring milestones are met and proactively identifying potential delays or resource needs.

• Serves as a liaison between the researcher, collaborators, administrative units, and external stakeholders to support effective communication and project execution.

• Provides logistical support for research-related events, workshops, and meetings, including scheduling, materials preparation, and follow-up communications.

• Contributes to knowledge mobilization efforts, such as organizing dissemination activities, maintaining project websites or newsletters, and supporting public engagement initiatives.
  
  Consequence of Error/Judgement
  The Research Coordinator is expected to work independently within the scope of this role, under the general guidance of Dr. Veena Sriram. Inappropriate judgment could impact the team’s capacity to achieve deliverables, and to achieve timely and accurate research outputs. This role is expected to demonstrate strong judgement when creating public-facing deliverables, and errors or poor judgement could result in reputational damage to the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and more broadly, the University of British Columbia.
  
  Supervision Received
  This position works under general direction of Dr. Veena Sriram.
  
  Supervision Given
  This position does not include formal supervisory responsibilities; however, the incumbent will work closely with student employees and may provide informal leadership, guidance, and coaching in day-to-day activities.
  
  Minimum Qualifications
  Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Policy, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Business Administration); graduate-level education or equivalent experience is an asset.

• Experience in research administration, project coordination, or a related role, preferably in an academic or non-profit setting.

• Experience supporting grant-funded research projects, including budget management, ethics submissions, and grant application processes.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.

• Proficiency in financial tracking and budget management, including experience with financial systems (e.g., Workday, Excel) and interpreting funding agency guidelines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft, edit, and format professional documents and correspondence.

• Familiarity with research ethics processes and experience preparing ethics applications.

• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in managing documentation, records, and submission materials.

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in prioritizing tasks and solving problems.

• Proficiency with digital tools and platforms used in research administration (e.g., grant submission portals, reference management software, collaborative platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners.

Equity and Diversity:

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. If two candidates are of equal merit, Canadian law requires that Canadians and permanent residents of Canada be given priority.